CN114930091A

CN114930091A - Control device and control method

Info

Publication number: CN114930091A
Application number: CN202080092511.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 滨田守; 玉木章吾; 和田诚
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2020-01-14
Filing date: 2020-01-14
Publication date: 2022-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-14
Also published as: CN114930091B; EP4092342A4; JPWO2021144850A1; EP4092342B1; JP7204956B2; WO2021144850A1; US20230258357A1; EP4092342A1

Abstract

A control device (500) controls a plurality of air conditioners (2) disposed adjacent to each other in a space. The specification unit (501) specifies, as a first air conditioner, an air conditioner (2) that is arranged in a region of a space in which the presence of a person is detected, from among the plurality of air conditioners (2), and specifies, as a second air conditioner, an air conditioner (2) that is arranged next to the first air conditioner. A control unit (503) causes the first air conditioner to perform either a cooling operation or a heating operation as an air conditioning operation, and causes the second air conditioner to perform a blowing operation with an air volume and an air direction equivalent to those of the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner.

Description

Control device and control method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to control of an air conditioner.

Background

An air conditioning system including a plurality of air conditioners is used for air conditioning inside a large space such as an office. That is, a plurality of air conditioners are installed in a space, and the plurality of air conditioners perform air conditioning operation to adjust the temperature in the space to a comfortable temperature. The air conditioning operation is a cooling operation or a heating operation. In such a conventional air conditioning system, for example, each of the plurality of air conditioners detects the temperature of the area in which the air conditioner is to be air-conditioned by the temperature sensor, and performs an air conditioning operation such that the detection value of the temperature sensor reaches a set temperature. In this way, in the conventional air conditioning system, the temperature in the space is made uniform.

In addition, in the conventional air conditioning system, the air conditioners in adjacent positions, in which the presence of a person is not detected, perform an air blowing operation in conjunction with the air conditioners that detect the presence of a person (for example, patent document 1). This prevents air that has been temperature-conditioned by the cooling operation or the heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus in which the presence of a person has been detected from flowing out to an area of the air-conditioning apparatus in which the presence of a person has not been detected. As a result, temperature adjustment can be efficiently performed only in an area where a person is present.

The space in which the air conditioning system described in patent document 1 is used is divided into a plurality of regions each having a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The air conditioning system described in patent document 1 includes a plurality of air conditioners, and the air conditioners are installed on the rear surface of the ceiling of each area. In the air conditioning system described in patent document 1, an air conditioner provided in an area where a person is present performs an air conditioning operation. At this time, the air conditioner provided in the area where no person is present adjacent to the area where a person is present performs an air blowing operation, and blows air downward from the air outlet on the area side where a person is present. That is, in the air conditioning system described in patent document 1, the outflow of temperature-conditioned air blown out from the air conditioners provided in the area where no person is present to the area where no person is present is suppressed. According to patent document 1, by operating the air conditioning system in this manner, it is possible to selectively air-condition a region where a person is present, and to achieve energy saving.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017 and 083084

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In order to avoid inflow or outflow of air at the boundary between the presence area and the absence area, it is necessary to eliminate the pressure difference between the two areas as much as possible. However, in the air conditioning system described in patent document 1, the airflow conditions in the two areas are greatly different, and a pressure difference occurs at the boundary between the areas. Therefore, the air conditioning system described in patent document 1 has the following problems: the outflow of temperature-conditioned air from a region where a person is present cannot be effectively prevented, and sufficient energy saving cannot be achieved.

The main object of the present invention is to solve the above problems. More specifically, the present invention aims to effectively prevent air after temperature adjustment from flowing out of an area where a person is present, and to achieve sufficient energy saving.

Means for solving the problems

A control device according to the present invention is a control device for controlling a plurality of air conditioners disposed adjacent to each other in a space, the control device including:

a specifying unit that specifies, as a first air conditioner, an air conditioner arranged in a region in the space where the presence of a person is detected, and that specifies, as a second air conditioner, an air conditioner arranged beside the first air conditioner; and

and a control unit that causes the first air conditioner to perform an air-conditioning operation, which is either a cooling operation or a heating operation, and causes the second air conditioner to perform an air-blowing operation at an air volume and an air direction that are equal to the air-conditioning operation of the first air conditioner.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the outflow of temperature-adjusted air from a region where a person is present can be effectively prevented, and sufficient energy saving can be achieved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an air conditioning system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of the control device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the control device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an operation state of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

Embodiment mode 1

Description of the structure

Fig. 1 shows a configuration example of an air conditioning system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows an example in which an air conditioner 2A, an air conditioner 2B, and an air conditioner 2C are disposed in a space 100. In fig. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 2A and the air-conditioning apparatus 2B are disposed adjacent to each other, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2B and the air-conditioning apparatus 2C are disposed adjacent to each other. The air-conditioning apparatus 2A, the air-conditioning apparatus 2B, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2C are each a usage-side unit.

The space 100 is, for example, an office, and is air-conditioned by the

air conditioners

2A, 2B, and 2C.

In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish among the

air conditioners

2A, 2B, and 2C, the

air conditioners

2A, 2B, and 2C will be collectively referred to as the air conditioners 2.

The space 100 is divided equally by the number of air conditioners 2 and the resulting part is referred to as a zone. In the example of fig. 1, the space 100 is divided into an area 101A, an area 101B, and an area 101C. The region 101A, the region 101B, and the region 101C have a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The division of the region 101A, the region 101B, and the region 101C is imaginary, and the region 101A, the region 101B, and the region 101C are not physically separated. The air-conditioned zone 101A and the air-conditioned zone 101B are adjacent to each other, and the air-conditioned zone 101B and the air-conditioned zone 101C are adjacent to each other.

The area 101A is an area to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 2A. The air conditioner 2A is disposed on the ceiling back 104A of the area 101A. The area 101B is an area to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 2B. The air conditioner 2B is disposed on the ceiling back surface 104B of the area 101B. The area 101C is an area to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 2C. The air conditioner 2C is disposed on the ceiling back surface 104C of the area 101C.

When it is not necessary to distinguish the region 101A, the region 101B, and the region 101C, the region 101A, the region 101B, and the region 101C are collectively referred to as the region 101.

The air conditioner 2A is provided with a human detection sensor 4A. The air conditioner 2B is provided with a human detection sensor 4B. The air conditioner 2C is provided with a human detection sensor 4C. The human detection sensor 4A, the human detection sensor 4B, and the human detection sensor 4C detect a human, respectively.

When there is no need to distinguish the human detection sensor 4A, the human detection sensor 4B, and the human detection sensor 4C, the human detection sensor 4A, the human detection sensor 4B, and the human detection sensor 4C are collectively referred to as the human detection sensor 4.

The human body sensor 4 is, for example, an infrared sensor. In the present embodiment, the human sensor 4 is provided in the air conditioner 2, but the position of the human sensor 4 is not limited. The human body sensor 4 may not be an infrared sensor. For example, the human detecting sensor 4A may be a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a keyboard operation of a personal computer, not shown, provided in the area 101A to detect the presence or absence of a person in the area 101A. Similarly, the human detection sensor 4B (4C) may be a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a keyboard operation of a personal computer (not shown) provided in the area 101B (C) to detect the presence or absence of a human in the area 101B (C). That is, the human detecting sensor 4 may be any sensor capable of detecting at which position in the space 100 a human is present.

The air-conditioning apparatus 2A, the air-conditioning apparatus 2B, the air-conditioning apparatus 2C, the human detection sensor 4A, the human detection sensor 4B, and the human detection sensor 4C are connected to the control device 500.

The control device 500 acquires a result of detection of a person from any of the person detection sensors 4. Then, the operating states of the

air conditioners

2A, 2B, and 2C are controlled in accordance with the human-detected region 101.

Here, an outline of control by the control device 500 will be described.

For example, it is assumed that a person exists in the area 101A and no person exists in the

areas

101B and 101C.

The control device 500 makes the air flows in the area 101A where a person is present and the area 101B adjacent to the area 101A where a person is present and where no person is present substantially the same, and reduces the pressure difference between the areas. This can suppress outflow of the temperature-adjusted air from the region 101A to the region 101B. Specifically, the controller 500 causes the air-conditioning apparatus 2A in the area 101A to perform an air-conditioning operation (cooling operation or heating operation), and causes the air-conditioning apparatus 2B in the area 101B to perform a blowing operation. In the unmanned area 101C adjacent to the unmanned area 101B, the control device 500 stops the air-conditioning unit 2C in the area 101C (does not perform the air-conditioning operation and the blowing operation) because it is not necessary to pay attention to the inflow and outflow of air. Further, the control device 500 causes the air conditioner 2B to perform the blowing operation with the same air volume and wind direction as those of the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 2A. This can reduce the pressure difference between the

areas

101A and 101B, and can suppress the outflow of the temperature-adjusted air from the area 101A to the area 101B. As a result, the region 101A can be maintained at a comfortable temperature even if the output of the air conditioner 2A is suppressed, and energy saving can be achieved compared to the conventional one.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 500 according to the present embodiment.

The control device 500 of the present embodiment is a computer. The operation procedure of the control device 500 corresponds to a control method.

The control device 500 includes a processor 901, a main storage device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, and a communication device 904 as hardware.

The auxiliary storage device 903 stores programs for realizing the functions of the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504, which will be described later.

These programs are loaded from the secondary storage 903 into the primary storage 902. The processor 901 executes these programs, and performs the operations of the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504.

In fig. 2, a state in which the processor 901 executes a program that realizes the functions of the specification section 501, the control section 503, and the communication section 504 is schematically shown.

The communication device 904 communicates with the air conditioner 2 and the human detection sensor 4.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a functional configuration of the control device 500 according to the present embodiment.

The designation unit 501 designates, as the first air conditioner, the air conditioner 2 disposed in the area 101 in the space 100 where the presence of a person is detected, among the plurality of air conditioners 2. The designation unit 501 designates the air-conditioner 2 disposed beside the first air-conditioner as the second air-conditioner.

The storage unit 502 stores the human detection sensor 4 and the air conditioner 2 in association with each other. In the example of fig. 1, the storage unit 502 stores the human detection sensor 4A and the air conditioner 2A in association with each other. The storage unit 502 stores the human detection sensor 4B and the air conditioner 2B in association with each other. Further, the storage unit 502 stores the human detection sensor 4C in association with the air conditioner 2C. The storage unit 502 stores the positional relationship of the plurality of air conditioners 2. In the example of fig. 1, the storage unit 502 stores a case where the

air conditioners

2A, 2B, and 2C are arranged in this order from the left in the space 100.

The specification unit 501 refers to the association between the human detection sensor 4 and the air-conditioning apparatus 2 stored in the storage unit 502, and specifies the air-conditioning apparatus 2 corresponding to the human detection sensor 4 in which a human is detected as the first air-conditioning apparatus. The designation unit 501 refers to the arrangement of the air conditioners 2 stored in the storage unit 502, and designates the air conditioner 2 arranged beside the first air conditioner as the second air conditioner.

The storage unit 502 stores the operating state of each air conditioner 2. That is, the storage unit 502 stores which of the state in which the air-conditioning operation (cooling operation, heating operation) is performed, the state in which the air-sending operation is performed, and the stopped state is performed in each of the air-conditioning apparatus 2A, the air-conditioning apparatus 2B, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2C. When the air-conditioning operation is performed by the air-conditioning apparatus 2, the storage unit 502 also stores the volume and direction of the blown air for each air outlet of the air-conditioning apparatus 2 that performs the air-conditioning operation.

The storage unit 502 is implemented by a main storage 902 or an auxiliary storage 903.

The controller 503 causes the first air conditioner to perform either the cooling operation or the heating operation as the air conditioning operation. Further, the control unit 503 causes the second air conditioner to perform the blowing operation with the same air volume and wind direction as those of the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner. As described later, each air conditioner 2 includes a plurality of air outlets. The control unit 503 controls the air volume and the wind direction of each air outlet of the second air-conditioning apparatus to be equal to the air volume and the wind direction of the corresponding air outlet of the first air-conditioning apparatus, and causes the second air-conditioning apparatus to perform the air-sending operation.

"equivalent" preferably means a range of. + -. 10%, and the maximum means a range of. + -. 30%. That is, if the air volume of the second air-conditioner is within a range of ± 30% with respect to the air volume of the first air-conditioner and the airflow direction of the second air-conditioner is within a range of ± 30% with respect to the airflow direction of the first air-conditioner, it can be said that the second air-conditioner performs the air-sending operation with the same air volume and airflow direction as the air-conditioning operation of the first air-conditioner.

In addition, when an air conditioner other than the first air conditioner is disposed near the second air conditioner, the control unit 503 causes the air conditioner other than the first air conditioner disposed near the second air conditioner not to perform any of the air conditioning operation and the blowing operation.

The control unit 503 transmits an instruction command for instructing the operation state of each air conditioner 2 to each air conditioner 2 via the communication unit 504, and controls the operation state of each air conditioner 2.

The communication unit 504 communicates with the human detection sensor 4 and the air conditioner 2.

More specifically, the communication unit 504 receives the id (identifier) of the human detection sensor 4 from the human detection sensor 4 that has detected the presence of a human. Then, the communication unit 504 notifies the specifying unit 501 of the ID of the human detection sensor 4.

The communication unit 504 acquires an instruction command for each air conditioner 2 from the control unit 503. Then, the communication unit 504 transmits the acquired instruction command to the corresponding air conditioner 2.

Fig. 4 shows a state where the ceiling portion of the space 100 is viewed from below.

That is, fig. 4 shows the positions of the main body 10 of the air conditioner 2, the suction port 11 provided in the main body 10, and the blow-out port 21.

Note that, as for the components of the air-conditioning apparatus 2A, "a" is given after the number indicating each component. Similarly, the constituent elements of the air-conditioner 2B are denoted by "B" after the numerals indicating the respective constituent elements. Similarly, the constituent elements of the air-conditioner 2C are denoted by "C" after the numerals indicating the respective constituent elements. For example, suction port 11 of air conditioner 2A is denoted as suction port 11A, suction port 11 of air conditioner 2B is denoted as suction port 11B, and suction port 11 of air conditioner 2C is denoted as suction port 11C.

When a plurality of identical components are present in the same air conditioner 2, the components are distinguished by a lower case letter at the end of the reference numeral.

For example, four air outlets 21A are arranged in the air-conditioning apparatus 2A. In order to distinguish these air outlets 21A, the air outlets 21Aa, 21Ab, 21Ac, and 21Ad are hereinafter referred to as air outlets.

The air conditioner 2 is constituted by a main body 10 having an intake port 11 and four blow-out ports 21. In the main body 10, a suction port 11 communicating with the region 101 is formed in a lower surface portion. The main body 10 cools or heats air in the area 101 sucked from the suction port 11, and blows out the cooled or heated air from the blow-out port 21. The center 12 of the suction port 11 is the center of the region 101 in plan view. In fig. 4, the centers 12 of the suction ports 11 of the three air conditioners 2 are arranged at equal intervals so as to trisect the space, but the centers 12 of the suction ports 11 may not be arranged at equal intervals. That is, the sizes of the region 101A, the region 101B, and the region 101C may be different.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 2A according to embodiment 1.

Since the

air conditioners

2A, 2B, and 2C have the same configuration, the following description will be made with the air conditioner 2A as a representative example.

As described above, the air conditioner 2A includes the main body 10A provided on the ceiling back surface 104A of the area 101A. The blower 14A and the heat exchanger 13A are housed in the main body 10A. The air blower 14A sucks in the air in the area 101A from the suction port 11A of the main body 10A, and the sucked air is blown out from the discharge port 21A to the area 101A. The heat exchanger 13A cools or heats the air sucked into the region 101A in the main body 10A by the blower 14A, and adjusts the temperature of the sucked air. Specifically, when the air conditioner 2A performs the cooling operation, the refrigerant having a temperature lower than that of the air in the region 101A flows through the heat exchanger 13A, and the air sucked into the region 101A in the main body 10A is cooled by the refrigerant. When the air-conditioning apparatus 2A performs the heating operation, the refrigerant having a higher temperature than the air in the region 101A flows through the heat exchanger 13A, and the air sucked into the region 101A in the main body 10A is heated by the refrigerant.

Here, each of the up-down wind direction blades 23A may be a fixed type that does not operate during operation of the air conditioner 2A, or may be a movable type that can change the inclination by electric power during operation of the air conditioner 2A. Each of the up-down wind direction blades 23A of the present embodiment is of a movable type capable of changing the inclination by electric power during operation of the air conditioner 2A, and can be changed to an arbitrary inclination. Therefore, each of the up-down airflow direction blades 23A of the present embodiment can be changed in pitch during the cooling operation and the heating operation. Therefore, the air conditioner 2A of the present embodiment includes a power supply line for supplying electric power to the blades 23A in the up-down direction. The power supply line is connected to a drive source, not shown, of the up-down wind vane 23A. The drive source is, for example, an electric motor. Note that illustration of the power supply line is omitted in fig. 5. Further, the air outlet 21 may be provided with left and right air direction blades that can change the air direction in the left and right directions.

In fig. 5, the air outlet 21A and the vertical direction blades 23A are illustrated only in the left-right direction, but the air outlet 21A and the vertical direction blades 23A are also arranged in the near-front direction and the depth direction in fig. 5. In fig. 5, the blowing port 21A and the up-down airflow direction blade 23A in the forward and backward directions are not shown to simplify the drawing. The air outlet 21A and the up-down airflow blades 23A in the forward direction and the depth direction are also the same as the air outlet 21A and the up-down airflow blades 23A in the left-right direction.

The air conditioner 2A of the present embodiment is provided with a temperature sensor 5A that detects the temperature of the air in the area 101A. In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 5A is provided downstream of the suction port 11A in the main body 10. That is, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the air sucked into the region 101A in the main body 10 is detected by the temperature sensor 5A.

Description of actions

Next, the operation of the control device 500 according to the present embodiment will be described.

The control of each air conditioner 2 by the control device 500 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3 and 6.

Fig. 6 shows a control example in the case where the control device 500 causes the air-conditioning apparatus 2 to perform the cooling operation.

Here, it is assumed that the presence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 4A (the presence of a person is not detected by the human detection sensor 4B and the human detection sensor 4C).

The ID of the human detection sensor 4A is transmitted from the human detection sensor 4A to the control device 500, and in the control device 500, the communication unit 504 receives the ID of the human detection sensor 4A. The communication unit 504 transmits the ID of the human detection sensor 4A to the specifying unit 501.

The specification unit 501 refers to the association between the human detection sensor 4 and the air conditioner 2 in the storage unit 502, and determines that the air conditioner 2 associated with the human detection sensor 4A is the air conditioner 2A. The specification unit 501 determines that the air-conditioner 2 disposed beside the air-conditioner 2A is the air-conditioner 2B. The specification unit 501 determines that the air conditioner 2 disposed next to the air conditioner 2B is the air conditioner 2C.

Therefore, the specification unit 501 specifies the air conditioner 2A as the first air conditioner and the air conditioner 2B as the second air conditioner.

The specification unit 501 notifies the control unit 503 of the air conditioner 2A as the first air conditioner and the air conditioner 2B as the second air conditioner.

The controller 503 determines to cause the air conditioner 2A, which is the first air conditioner, to perform the cooling operation. Further, it is determined to perform the blowing operation in the air conditioner 2B as the second air conditioner. As described above, the control unit 503 determines to cause the air conditioner 2B to perform the blowing operation with the same air volume and the same wind direction as those of the cooling operation of the air conditioner 2A. Further, it is determined that the air conditioner 2C is not to perform any one of the cooling operation and the blowing operation.

Then, the control unit 503 generates an instruction command for notifying the contents determined for each air conditioner 2. Then, the control unit 503 outputs the generated instruction command to the communication unit 504.

The communication unit 504 acquires an instruction command for each air conditioner 2 from the control unit 503, and outputs the acquired instruction command to each air conditioner 2 using the communication device 904.

Specifically, the communication unit 504 transmits an instruction command for instructing the air-conditioning apparatus 2A to perform the cooling operation. The communication unit 504 also transmits an instruction command for instructing the air conditioner 2B to perform the air blowing operation. The communication unit 504 also sends an instruction command for instructing the air conditioner 2C to stop the operation.

The air conditioner 2A performs cooling operation in accordance with the instruction.

The air conditioner 2B performs an air blowing operation in accordance with the instruction. The air volume and the air direction during the air blowing operation are equal to those during the cooling operation.

The air conditioner 2C does not perform any one of the cooling operation and the blowing operation in accordance with the instruction command.

In the area 101C adjacent to the area 101B where no person is present, the air conditioner 2C is stopped because there is no need to control the inflow and outflow of air.

Fig. 7 shows the volume and direction of the blown air blown out from the outlet ports of the air conditioners 2. In fig. 7, solid arrows indicate blown air in the cooling operation, and broken arrows indicate blown air in the blowing operation. In fig. 7, the length of the arrow indicates the volume of blown air, and the direction of the arrow indicates the direction of blown air.

In the example of fig. 7, the air volume of the blown air is the same among the air outlet 21Aa, the air outlet 21Ab, the air outlet 21Ac, and the air outlet 21 Ad. In the example of fig. 7, the air outlet 21Aa, the air outlet 21Ab, the air outlet 21Ac, and the air outlet 21Ad blow out air in a direction inclined at 90 degrees with respect to the air outlets 21 adjacent to each other.

The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Ba are equal to those of the air outlet 21 Aa. The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Bb are equal to those of the air outlet 21 Ab. The air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21Bc are equal to the air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21 Ac. The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Bd are equal to those of the air outlet 21 Ad. When it is difficult to control the air volumes and the wind directions of all the air outlets 21 to be equal, it is preferable that at least the air outlets 21Aa, 21Ac, 21Ba, and 21Bc have the same air volume and wind direction.

For example, as shown in fig. 8, when a person is present in the area 101B, the designation unit 501 designates the air conditioner 2B as the first air conditioner based on the notification from the human detection sensor 4B. Since the air-conditioning equipment 2A and the air-conditioning equipment 2C are disposed on both sides of the air-conditioning equipment 2B, the designation unit 501 designates the air-conditioning equipment 2A and the air-conditioning equipment 2C as the second air-conditioning equipment. Then, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing the air-conditioning apparatus 2B to perform the cooling operation and transmits an instruction command instructing the air-

conditioning apparatuses

2A and 2C to perform the blowing operation via the communication unit 504.

As a result, as shown in fig. 9, the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Aa, the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Ba, and the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Ca are equal to each other. The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Ab, the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Bb, and the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Cb are equal to each other. The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Ac, the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Bc, and the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Cc are equal to each other. The air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21Ad, the air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21Bd, and the air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21Cd are equal to each other.

Fig. 10 to 13 show other control examples. Fig. 10 to 13 show a state where the space 100 is viewed from the ceiling direction.

In fig. 10 to 13, although the air-conditioning apparatus 2 is not shown, the air-conditioning apparatus 2N is disposed in a region 101N (N is an arbitrary letter). That is, the air-conditioning apparatus 2A is disposed in the area 101A, the air-conditioning apparatus 2B is disposed in the area 101B, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2I is disposed in the area 101I.

As shown in fig. 10, when a person is present in the area 101A and the area 101C, the designation unit 501 designates the air-

conditioners

2A and 2C as the first air-conditioner. The designation unit 501 designates the air conditioner 2B located near the

air conditioners

2A and 2C as the second air conditioner. Then, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction to perform the cooling operation to the

air conditioners

2A and 2C and transmits an instruction to perform the blowing operation to the air conditioner 2B via the communication unit 504.

As shown in fig. 11, when a person is present in the area 101A and the area 101B, the designation unit 501 designates the air-

conditioners

2A and 2B as the first air-conditioner. The specification unit 501 specifies the air-conditioner 2C located next to the air-conditioner 2B as the second air-conditioner. Then, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction to perform the cooling operation to the

air conditioners

2A and 2B and an instruction to perform the blowing operation to the air conditioner 2C via the communication unit 504.

In addition, as shown in fig. 12 and 13, when there are 9 air conditioners 2 in the space 100, 9 zones 101 are theoretically formed.

In fig. 12, a person is present in an area 101A. In this case, the designation unit 501 designates the air conditioner 2A as the first air conditioner. Further, the designation unit 501 designates the air-conditioner 2B and the air-conditioner 2D located beside the air-conditioner 2A as the second air-conditioner. Then, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing the air-conditioning apparatus 2A to perform the cooling operation and transmits an instruction command instructing the air-conditioning apparatus 2B and the air-conditioning apparatus 2D to perform the blowing operation via the communication unit 504. The control unit 503 transmits an instruction to stop the operation to the other air conditioner 2. In the example of fig. 12, the designation unit 501 does not designate the air-conditioner 2E arranged in the diagonal direction of the air-conditioner 2A as the second air-conditioner. Therefore, the air conditioner 2E does not perform the blowing operation.

In fig. 13, a person is present in the area 101E. In this case, the designation unit 501 designates the air conditioner 2E as the first air conditioner. The specification unit 501 specifies the air-conditioning units 2B, 2D, 2F, and 2H located beside the air-conditioning unit 2A as the second air-conditioning unit. Then, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing the air-conditioning apparatus 2E to perform the cooling operation and transmits an instruction command instructing the air-conditioning apparatus 2B, the air-conditioning apparatus 2D, the air-conditioning apparatus 2F, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2H to perform the blowing operation via the communication unit 504.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 500 according to the present embodiment.

In step S101, the specifying unit 501 determines whether or not a person is detected.

Specifically, the specifying unit 501 determines that a person is detected when the communication unit 504 notifies any ID of the human detection sensor 4.

If it is determined in step S101 that a person is detected (yes), the specification unit 501 specifies the first air conditioner in step S102.

In step S103, the designation unit 501 designates the air-conditioner 2 located beside the first air-conditioner as the second air-conditioner.

The specification unit 501 notifies the control unit 503 of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner.

In step S104, the control unit 503 refers to the storage unit 502 and determines whether or not the first air conditioner is performing the air conditioning operation.

If it is determined in step S104 that the first air conditioner is performing the air conditioning operation (yes), the process proceeds to step S106.

On the other hand, if it is clear in step S104 that the first air conditioner is not performing the air conditioning operation (no), the control unit 503 instructs the first air conditioner to start the air conditioning operation in step S105. Specifically, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing the first air conditioner to start the air conditioning operation to the first air conditioner via the communication unit 504.

In this case, the control unit 503 determines the volume and direction of the blown air from each of the air outlets 21 during the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner. Then, the control unit 503 describes the determined volume and direction of the blown air for each of the air outlets 21 in the instruction command. The control unit 503 stores the determined volume and direction of the blown air for each air outlet 21 in the storage unit 502.

In step S106, the control unit 503 refers to the storage unit 502 and determines whether or not the second air conditioner is performing the blowing operation.

If it is determined in step S106 that the second air conditioner is performing the blowing operation (yes), the process returns to step S101.

On the other hand, when it is clear in step S106 that the second air conditioner is not performing the air blowing operation (no), the control unit 503 instructs the second air conditioner to start the air blowing operation in step S107. Specifically, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction to the second air conditioner to start the blowing operation to the second air conditioner via the communication unit 504.

In this case, the control unit 503 refers to the storage unit 502, and describes the air volume and the wind direction equivalent to the air volume and the wind direction of the air blown out from each air outlet 21 of the first air conditioner in the instruction command for the second air conditioner.

After step S107 ends, the process returns to step S101.

Description of effects of embodiments

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pressure difference between the areas can be reduced, and the outflow of the temperature-adjusted air from the area where a person is present can be effectively prevented. Further, according to the present embodiment, the operation of the air conditioner in the area where no person is present can be stopped. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, sufficient energy saving can be achieved.

After the control shown in fig. 14 is performed, it is conceivable that the person in the area 101 of the first air conditioner operates the remote controller to change the air volume and the air direction of the first air conditioner. In this case, the first air conditioner notifies the controller 500 of the changed air volume and wind direction. In the control device 500, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command for notifying the notified changed air volume and air direction to the second air conditioner via the communication unit 504. Thus, the second air conditioner can continue the air blowing operation with the same air volume and air direction as the changed air volume and air direction of the first air conditioner.

After the control shown in fig. 14 is performed, it is also conceivable that a person in the area 101 of the first air conditioner operates a remote controller to instruct the stop of the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner or the transition to the blowing operation. In this case, the first air conditioner notifies the control device 500 of the stop of the air conditioning operation or the transition to the blowing operation. In the control device 500, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing the stop of the air blowing operation to the second air conditioner via the communication unit 504. This can avoid wasteful air-sending operation of the second air conditioner.

After the control shown in fig. 14 is performed, a person may leave the area 101 corresponding to the first air conditioner, and the human detection sensor 4 may not detect a person for a certain period of time. In this case, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing to stop the air conditioning operation to the first air conditioner via the communication unit 504. Further, the control unit 503 transmits an instruction command instructing to stop the blowing operation to the second air conditioner via the communication unit 504. This makes it possible to stop the unnecessary air-conditioning operation of the first air-conditioning unit and to avoid the unnecessary blowing operation of the second air-conditioning unit.

Embodiment mode 2

In this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described.

Note that matters not described below are the same as those in embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 2A according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the air conditioner 2A will be described with reference to fig. 15, as with fig. 5. The air-

conditioners

2B and 2C are also configured in the same manner as the air-conditioner 2A.

In fig. 15, a duct 30A is added to the structure of fig. 5, and the blowing unit 20A is provided in the duct 30A. In fig. 15, the duct 30A, the blowing unit 20A, the blowing port 21A, and the up-down airflow direction blade 23A are illustrated only in the left-right direction, but the duct 30A, the blowing unit 20A, the blowing port 21A, and the up-down airflow direction blade 23A are also arranged in the near-front direction and the depth direction in fig. 15. In fig. 15, the duct 30A, the blowing unit 20A, the blowing port 21A, and the up-down airflow direction blade 23A in the forward direction and the depth direction are not illustrated to simplify the drawing. The duct 30A, the blowing unit 20A, the blow-out port 21A, and the up-down airflow vanes 23A in the forward direction and the depth direction are also the same as the duct 30A, the blowing unit 20A, the blow-out port 21A, and the up-down airflow vanes 23A in the left-right direction.

Elements other than the duct 30A and the blowing unit 20A are the same as those shown in fig. 5, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

The blowing unit 20Aa and the blowing unit 20Ac are connected to the main body portion 10 through a duct 30A.

The air sucked into the main body 10A and temperature-adjusted flows into the duct 30A connected to each of the blowout units 20A, and is branched in four directions. Then, the air flowing into each duct 30A is blown out to the area 101A from the air outlet 21A of each blowing unit 20A.

The air blowing units 20Aa and 20Ac include vertical airflow direction blades 23A that adjust the vertical direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 21A. The up-down airflow direction blades 23A provided in the respective air outlet units 20A have an inclination with respect to a vertical line during the air conditioning operation, and guide the air blown out from the air outlet 21A toward the center of the area 101A.

In the configuration using the air-conditioning apparatus 2A, the air-conditioning apparatus 2B, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2C shown in fig. 15, when a person is detected in the area 101A and no person is detected in the area 101B and the area 101C, the air-conditioning apparatus 2A performs an air-conditioning operation, the air-conditioning apparatus 2B performs an air-blowing operation, and the air-conditioning apparatus 2C stops operating, as in embodiment 1.

More specifically, the air-conditioning operation is performed by the air-conditioning apparatus 2A at the air volume and the air direction shown in fig. 16. The air-conditioning apparatus 2B performs the blowing operation with the air volume and the wind direction shown in fig. 16.

In the present embodiment, as in embodiment 1, the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Ba are equal to the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21 Aa. The air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21Bb are equal to the air volume and the airflow direction of the air outlet 21 Ab. The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Bc are equal to the air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21 Ac. The air volume and the wind direction of the air outlet 21Bd are equal to those of the air outlet 21 Ad.

As described above, even in the case of using the air conditioner 2 having the configuration shown in fig. 15, the pressure difference between the areas can be reduced, and the outflow of the temperature-conditioned air from the area where a person is present can be effectively prevented.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the two embodiments may be combined.

Alternatively, one of the two embodiments may be partially implemented.

Alternatively, the two embodiments may be partially combined and implemented.

The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications may be made as necessary.

Supplementary description of hardware structure

Finally, the hardware configuration of the control device 500 will be described in addition.

The processor 901 shown in fig. 2 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that performs processing.

The Processor 901 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like.

The main Memory 902 shown in fig. 2 is a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage 903 shown in fig. 2 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash Memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like.

The communication device 904 shown in fig. 2 is an electronic circuit that performs communication processing of data.

The communication device 904 is, for example, a communication chip or NIC (Network Interface Card).

Further, an OS (Operating System) is also stored in the auxiliary storage 903.

Also, at least a portion of the OS is executed by the processor 901.

The processor 901 executes a program that realizes the functions of the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504 while executing at least a part of the OS.

The processor 901 executes an OS, thereby performing task management, memory management, file management, communication control, and the like.

At least one of information, data, signal values, and variable values indicating the results of the processing by the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504 is stored in at least one of the main storage 902, the auxiliary storage 903, a register in the processor 901, and a cache memory.

The program for realizing the functions of the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504 may be stored in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, or a DVD. A portable recording medium storing a program for realizing the functions of the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504 may be distributed.

The "section" in the specification section 501, the control section 503, and the communication section 504 may be replaced with "circuit", "process", "step", or "process".

The control device 500 may be implemented by a processing circuit. The processing Circuit is, for example, a logic IC (Integrated Circuit), a GA (Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

In this case, the specification unit 501, the control unit 503, and the communication unit 504 are each implemented as a part of the processing circuit.

In this specification, a generic concept of a processor and a processing circuit is referred to as a "processing line".

That is, the processor and the processing circuit are specific examples of "processing circuit", respectively.

Description of the reference numerals

2 air conditioner, 4 human body detecting sensor, 5 temperature sensor, 10 main body, 11 suction inlet, 12 center, 13 heat exchanger, 14 blower, 20 blowing unit, 21 blowing outlet, 23 up and down wind direction blade, 30 duct, 100 space, 101 area, 104 ceiling back, 500 control device, 501 designation portion, 502 storage portion, 503 control portion, 504 communication portion, 901 processor, 902 main storage device, 903 auxiliary storage device, 904 communication device.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a plurality of air conditioners disposed adjacent to each other in a space, comprising:

a specifying unit that specifies, as a first air conditioner, an air conditioner arranged in an area in the space where the presence of a person is detected, and that specifies, as a second air conditioner, an air conditioner arranged beside the first air conditioner; and

and a control unit that causes the first air conditioner to perform either a cooling operation or a heating operation as an air conditioning operation, and causes the second air conditioner to perform a blowing operation at an air volume and an air direction equivalent to those of the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner.

2. The control device according to claim 1,

the designation unit designates each of the air conditioners on both sides of the first air conditioner as a second air conditioner when the air conditioners are disposed on both sides of the first air conditioner,

the control unit causes the second air conditioner to perform an air blowing operation at an air volume and an air direction equal to those of the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner.

3. The control device according to claim 1,

each of the plurality of air conditioners is provided with a plurality of air outlets,

the control unit controls the air volume and the air direction of each air outlet of the second air-conditioning apparatus to be equal to the air volume and the air direction of the corresponding air outlet of the first air-conditioning apparatus, and causes the second air-conditioning apparatus to perform an air-sending operation.

4. The control device according to claim 1,

when an air conditioner other than the first air conditioner is disposed beside the second air conditioner, the control unit may cause the air conditioner other than the first air conditioner disposed beside the second air conditioner not to perform any one of the air conditioning operation and the blowing operation.

5. The control device according to claim 1,

in a case where an air conditioner is disposed in an oblique direction of the first air conditioner, the control unit may cause the air conditioner disposed in the oblique direction of the first air conditioner not to perform any one of the air conditioning operation and the blowing operation.

6. A control method, wherein,

a computer that controls a plurality of air conditioners disposed adjacent to each other in a space designates, as a first air conditioner, an air conditioner disposed in an area in the space where the presence of a person is detected, from among the plurality of air conditioners, designates an air conditioner disposed beside the first air conditioner as a second air conditioner,

the computer causes the first air conditioner to perform either a cooling operation or a heating operation as an air conditioning operation, and causes the second air conditioner to perform an air blowing operation at an air volume and an air direction equivalent to those of the air conditioning operation of the first air conditioner.